A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. Oslo for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Canberra or Oslo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Canberra or Oslo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Canberra

Canberra is a under-rated, cultural, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Oslo

Oslo is a green, clean, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Canberra and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or Oslo?

Both Oslo and Canberra have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Canberra is very popular for its food, hiking, and shopping, while Oslo attracts visitors for its big city activities. Oslo is more touristy than Canberra and is popular for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

How is Canberra different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oslo and Canberra. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Canberra or Oslo?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Canberra and Oslo.

Canberra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Many visitors head to Oslo specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Is the Food Better in Canberra or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Canberra is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Canberra makes for a great culinary experience. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Canberra or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Both Canberra and Oslo have nice vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Canberra. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Oslo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Canberra or Oslo Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Canberra has hiking trails worth exploring. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or Oslo?

Canberra is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Canberra is a great destination for shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Canberra or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Oslo is a very family-friendly destination. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

Canberra is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Canberra or Oslo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Canberra and Oslo make for a nice place to visit.

Canberra makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Oslo is a good city for couples to visit. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Canberra or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oslo is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Canberra or Oslo Better for Students?

Both Canberra and Oslo are very good destinations for students.

Canberra is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Oslo is very popular with students. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Is Canberra or Oslo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oslo is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Oslo can take you anywhere. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Canberra or Oslo a more walkable city?

Oslo is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

For even more information, also check out Is Canberra Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or Oslo?

In either Canberra or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Canberra because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Canberra, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

Families should spend more time in Oslo than Canberra. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oslo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Canberra than Oslo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Canberra that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Canberra if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Oslo.

One day in Canberra or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Canberra. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Oslo is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Canberra or Oslo?

Canberra is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Oslo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oslo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Canberra or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Canberra. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oslo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oslo, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Canberra or Oslo?

The diverse city of Canberra offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Oslo is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Canberra and Oslo, we can see that Oslo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Canberra is in Pacific and Oslo is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Canberra Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and Oslo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Canberra or Oslo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Oslo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Canberra or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Oslo. Many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Canberra is generally a little warmer than Osloin July. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 20°C (68°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Canberra usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Osloin July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Canberra in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Canberra is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Canberra. In April, Canberra usually receives more rain than Osloin October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Canberra or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Canberra during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Oslo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Oslo can be very cold. In the winter, Canberra is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Canberra in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F)in January.

Canberra usually gets less rain in July than Osloin January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Oslo. The spring months attract visitors to Canberra because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In October, Canberra is generally much warmer than Osloin April. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 15°C (60°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In October, Canberra usually receives more rain than Osloin April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Canberra